Generally,
Heating and cooling: 45-50%
The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. By a long shot. Central air conditioners and heaters use tons of energy in order to keep your home set to the right temperature.
Different heating systems are going to impact different energy bills. If you have a heat pump, it's going to increase your electricity bill, whereas if you have a gas furnace, it's going to impact your gas bill. The type of system can also determine how energy efficient it is.
While it should cycle throughout the day, clicking on too frequently may indicate a problem. Homeowners often find themselves wondering, "How often should my furnace cycle?" The answer lies in a gray area. On average, furnaces should kick on and turn off anywhere from three to eight times per hour.
Your furnace doesn't use that much electricity. If we had to make an average, your furnace would only use about 400 watts of electricity an hour. This is about as much electricity as it takes to run your TV or a small tower fan.
Most furnaces kick on and off between three to eight times an hour, depending on things like outdoor air temperatures, the furnace's age, and how much insulation you have. That's why, instead of asking how often a furnace should cycle, it's best to stay alert to changes in how your furnace is running.
Even gas heating systems use electricity to power the fan and distribute the warm air. Chances are, you took more hot showers, baths, and used more hot water in general. You may have also used space heaters and electric blankets more than usual, which can consume a lot of energy when left on for hours.
On average, natural gas is cheaper than electricity, so a gas furnace will save money on your bills. Electrical furnaces often run quieter than gas furnaces, as they have less mechanical parts used for the conversion of fuel to heat.
Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, standby power accounts for as much as 5% to 10% of residential energy use, and homeowners could save $100 to $200 each year on utility bills by unplugging devices that aren't in use.
Routine Furnace Cycles and How Often the Heater Runs
Running 10 to 15 minutes per cycle seems acceptable. So is running as long as 20 minutes. Even running every seven or eight minutes may not be a problem, as other factors could lead to more frequent cycling.
Therefore, the fan uses about 360 kWh per month in the ON mode. The average kWh in the US costs about $0.12 so it costs about $43 per month, or about $520 per year, to run a fan continuously. At this point, it should be pretty obvious that AUTO costs less than ON but let's math it out to its logical conclusion.
While it can depend on the season and outside temperature, heating a home is often more expensive than cooling it. Heating can consume more energy because the temperature outdoors is significantly lower than the desired indoor temperature. So, your heater has to work harder to get your home to the desired temperature.
The fix: Lower your home temperature to 68 degrees when you're home. Maintain comfort by adding extra layers of clothing – try fabrics like fleece, flannel and wool – and don't forget comfy slippers and blankets. If you can comfortably go a degree or two cooler than 68, your wallet will benefit even more!
Heat Pump System
Compared to an electric furnace or electric baseboard heating, an electric heat pump will allow you to heat your house for far less money. In fact, a heating pump system will typically be much less expensive to run compared to all of the available options.
For example, the DOE's Energy Savers website says that you can generally save 3% on your heating bill for each degree that you turn your thermostat down during the winter.
If your furnace filter gets too dirty, it will restrict the air flow and force your HVAC system to work much harder to maintain the temperature in your home and causing high electric bills.
Old windows and drafty attic spaces with air leaks are common culprits behind unusually high electric bills. Invest in new energy-efficient windows with better seals and glass, and make sure attic and basement spaces have proper insulation. The investment today will save you money on your bill down the road.
1. Air Conditioning and Heating. Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system likely uses the most electricity at home. The EIA tells us that space heating and cooling accounts for slightly over 30% of residential energy usage.
During the coldest days in winter, it is normal for a furnace to run almost constantly to keep the home warm. As long as the furnace is running efficiently and not making strange noises, the constant operation is likely nothing to worry about. But in general, your furnace should not constantly be running.
Ask twenty professional HVAC contractors the question, “How Much Does A New Furnace Cost?” and you'll probably get the same answer... “It depends.” On average, the cost of a new furnace can range from $2,000 - $14,2001. However, factors like furnace efficiency, type, size, and much more can impact this range.
If someone is at home in the daytime, 72° F (22° C) is a good start, but aim for 68° F (20° C). If everyone is away from home in the daytime or you're asleep at night, we feel 66° F (19° C) to 62° F (17° C) is best.